Many visitors to Thailand live in Australia, Europe, and the United States, with seasonal climates changes including cold snaps.
The climate in Thailand is opposite, hot and tropical year round. Positioned near the equator, Thailand is home to mosquitoes and pests which carry viruses, plus bacteria in the environment, travelers are not exposed to in their home countries.
While Thai food is delicious, it should be noted stomach and GI distress is the number one ailment travelers face. Stomach distress or “Travelers Trot” is often the result of ingesting contaminated food and/or water.
Some travelers have reported an Australian over-the-counter medication named Travelan helps prevent GI upset.
According to the product’s website, “Travelan is a natural product, specifically designed to reduce the risk of infection by Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), the most common cause of Travellers’ Diarrhoea.”
Vaccination for Prevention:
It’s important to ensure you’ve had your childhood vaccines. If your parents were “anti-vaccination”, it’s best you see a medical specialist prior to international travel.
Most Medical Doctors suggest you’re current on tetanus, seasonal influenza, and Hepatitis A vaccinations. According to many physicians, Hepatitis B vaccination is likely a good idea as well. However, this is between you and your doctor.
At the moment, a few travel clinics are suggesting Japanese encephalitis vaccination for some travelers. The suggestion is based on your profile and exactly where you’ll visit. As for Typhoid, it’s often suggested for travelers who try different foods or are more apt to try street food. Oral Typhoid vaccination lasts roughly 4 years. While vaccination decisions are between you and your doctor, preventative measures go a long ways.
First, take preventative measures before hopping on a plane to sunny Phuket, bustling Bangkok, or the quiet, remote areas along the Mekong River. A visit to your general practitioner or an international travel medical clinic is a great place to start. It may sound over-the-top to some, but it’s really an intelligent decision. Thailand is a developing nation with a variety of infectious tropical diseases in both urban and rural areas.
Your general practitioner or travel clinic physician may pro-actively prescribe an antibiotic to take only if you get sick.
Please note, our reference to the product is for informational purposes only and is not an endorsement or recommendation.
Source: Guide to Staying Healthy When Visiting Thailand and Prevention
